Please help me - as well as others.. Where have you stayed off-site in the PAST 12 MO

[C.Ann]

Due to a change in air flights, my hotel reservations for December have basically flown out the window - no pun intended..

This leaves me starting the search all over again for somewhere to stay during our December vacation.. Eash time I stumble across a place that I think might be okay I need to post the traditional "Has anyone stayed at...." thread.. Many times people will respond that they have in fact stayed at such and such a place, but often it was 2 or 3 years ago - and we all know how quickly things can change in a hotel/motel if there is any change in management, roll-over of help, etc..

So - I thought it might help me - as well as others - if some of you would be so kind as to post on this thread where you have stayed off-site in the past 12 months..

It would be very helpful if you could provide specifics: such as the name and address of the hotel/motel; what your nightly rate was (and where you obtained it); size of the accomodations; pros and cons; if it has been remodeled recently; if it is suitable for children; any extras that were included (such as free breakfast); whether it has indoor or outdoor corridors; if you felt safe there; and if you would stay there again - or recommend it to others..

I think this thread could be a BIG help for those of us who are going to Disney within the next 6 to 10 months or so...

Would anyone be willing to help out here?

Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

Universal's Royal Pacific - loved it - so did Spicey - they allowed pets in the rooms.

Marriott's Grande Vista Resort - loved it

this October I am staying at Hilton's Grand Vacation CLub.

 

[C.Ann]

Thank you, spiceycat!

Anyone else?

 

[tinaluis]

We stayed at the Wellesley Inn and Suites Southpark through Priceline in January, 2003 for $23/nt. Our room was a suite with a full kitchen, pull out sofabed, king size bed and very large bathroom. The rate included a deluxe contintental breakfast daily. The hotel had interior corridors, was almost new (within the last 2 years I think) and was across from a SuperWal-Mart (open 24hrs.) and a host of other stores and restaurants. They had a pool but it was not heated and it was a little chilly in January. We would definitely stay there again.

In May, 2002 we stayed at the Amerisuites Universal on Caravan Court for $28/nt. through Priceline. (Built within the last 5 years or so, I think) The room wasn't a true suite -- it had a partition wall that came out, but no door -- but it suited us just fine. We had two double beds, a pull out sofa, small wetbar area with refrigerator, microwave and sink and a deluxe continental breakfast daily. The hotel had interior corridors. The pool was heated and a little small, but very nice. It is across from Universal's parking garage and is within walking distance (if you like walking - about 10-15 mins). There is a Ponderosa nearby as well as a 24/hr. Walgreens. We'd stay there again but prefer the Wellesley Inn for the full kitchen.

In October we'll be at the Sheraton Safari and Rosen Centre Hotel so we'll post reviews when we return. Great thread C.Ann and sorry about your December reservations. Have fun planning!

 

[disneysteve]

November 2002 - Days Suites Maingate East Old Town. We had a large 1-bedroom suite, J-1330 to be exact. Rate was $39.95/nite plus about $2 for phone and safe. Rate included about $40 worth of Old Town tickets. No breakfast but suite has full kitchen. Exterior corridors. Parking right outside the room. Hotel is old but in decent shape. Not fancy but more than adequate and a good value for the price. Would I stay again - yes. Will I - probably not because since then I've discovered some 2-bedroom condos nearby that aren't much more expensive and are much newer.

March 2002 (ok, that's more than 12 months) - Quality Suites Maingate (right next to above hotel). 2-bedroom suite with breakfast for $105/nite. Clean, decent place, a bit newer than Days Suites. Exterior corridors, full kitchen. I'd recommend it, but again, you can get a nicer condo for less than that so I would opt for that route.

Steve

 

[Lisa P.]

We stayed in a large 2BR (sleeps 8) at Silver Lake Resort in Kissimmee for a week last September and sent another family there for their Christmas week. Both were excellent vacation stays. We had a full kitchen, DR seating 6 + 2 at breakfast bar, LR w/sleeper sofa, 2 full baths, washer/dryer, king MBR suite w/double jacuzzi, 2nd BR w/2 double beds, screened balcony w/table for 4 - very nice.

Silver Lake is a Gold Crown timeshare resort property with various room sizes. We traded in via RCI. Some people have gotten reservations there through SkyAuction.com. A weekly rental from an owner could be quite reasonable. Check the TUG Classifieds online for a rental week, especially if you need a holiday week.

This resort is located in Kissimmee, directly behind Disney's Animal Kingdom and AKL. It's a 3-5 minute drive from your door to the AKL parking lot. The main pool area did not have a slide, but there was a huge freeform pool connected to a lap pool plus hot tub, kiddie pool & small poolside bar/grill offering food & drinks. Near the pools, they also had a fairly new clubhouse and recreation center with fitness equipment, computer room, game room (billiards, table tennis, air hockey, coin video games), playground, organized activities, etc.

Some rooms (like ours) are at least 10 years old but everything was in very good condition, clearly on a good refurbishment schedule. We were the first to sleep in the brand new mattresses, as our building had just had them replaced. The newer model units looked very pretty - even had in-room computers and flat screen TVs.

Our building was 3 stories, exterior entry, no elevators. The newer buildings had elevators (don't recall interior or exterior entry, sorry). Newer 2BRs only sleep 6. HTH.

 

[LeahA]

We stayed at the Hilton Downtown Disney in March 03, for $65.00 per night through Priceline. Without Priceline, you can find some great deals as well, low $100's.

Good Luck!

Leah

 

[BonnieA]

Last November I got the Hyatt Orlando on priceline for $35/night. It was very convienent to the parks. I felt very safe there, the property is gated with a guard 24hrs. The only complaint was a noisey room because it was next to Interstate 4. I complained and was given another room without a problem. They have a free shuttle to the parks (at least it was free for priceline people, others were charged) but I didn't use it.
In April I rented a 2 bedroom condo at Windsor Palms for $55/night. It is a gated community. Very nice surroundings. Only complaint was that there were no elevators and after a day at the parks it was hard to climb those 3 flights of stairs.

 

[Disney Ella]

March 2003 - Mariott's Grande Vista one-bedroom, outdoor corridors, $120 per night (Expedia). Our unit hadn't been updated yet, but it was still in very good condition. (They were upgrading other units when we were there.) Very nice size one-bedroom with jacuzzi in bathroom, washer/dryer in kitchen. Nice screened-in patio. Great pool, just a really nice place. The only negative was the sofa bed, which was not very comfortable. In addition to the main pool, there are quiet pools, which couples might prefer. When we were there, there were kids, but it was not overrun with kids.

 

[C.Ann]

Come on now... someone else MUST have stayed off-site in the past 12 months..

Where are you??????

 

[mom22belles]

Stayed there in dec.2002. While it didn't meet our need asseciability wise.( Wheelchair bound FIL) I would stay there again in a heatrbeat (w/o FIL). Breakfast was not gourmet but it filled the stop. DD loved having her own room with tv/vcr. It is % min's to the parks. The pool was cold but was great fun.
Nancy

 

[crazywig]

Jan '03 - stayed at a 6br vacation home in Rolling Hills community. LOVED it!!

we paid $900 for one week and we had 11 people staying (including my then 9 month old). 6br/4ba with 2 living areas, and private pool.

i may never go back to hotels again! having all that room was just fantastic, especially with the baby. they also provided a pack n play and highchair as well for no extra charge.

i recommended it to a friend who stayed in the same house in march (with about 9 people) and they raved as well.

 

[tigger2on]

We stayed here for a week early last December. It was a 2 -bedroom full kitchen 2 bathroom apartment. All hallways are exterior and there is a jacuzzi and outdoor pool. They have a free contential breakfast as well. It was approx. a five minute drive to Downtown disney and maybe 7 or 8 to the parks as it is right off the highway. There is tons of resturant selections in area as well as a supermarket right behind it!

 

[Tiger Fan]

Here is a rundown of our most recent timeshare trades through RCI. All have been within the past two years.

Orange Lake - we loved it. We were in the Tennis Villas and our 2 bedroom unit was huge. It was in brand new condition and had anything you could ever want. The ammenities at OL are very good, but he resort is huge and very spread out. We only used the pool closest to our villa and it still was a long walk. The drive was ok, but 192 can be a hassle. We will stay here again as soon as we can trade back into this resort.

Orbit One - the is an older resort with very little amenities. We loved the very convenient location to WDW and liked just crossing over 192, not driving on it. Our unit had been recently refurbished and was in good condition. It was a very large unit and we were close to the pool, but all units would be a short walk as this is a small resort. I would stay here agian, but it would not be my first choice if a gold crown was available.

Sheraton's Vistana - we loved this resort and our unit was great. We were in the Springs section and it has been well maintained. We only used the pool just outside our unit, but they had a lot of amenities to offer. The resort is very large and a car is a must. The drive to WDW was pretty good, with Downtown Disney being about a 5-7 minute drive if traffic was lite. We will stay here again as soon as our trade options allow.

Barefootin in the Keys - this resort is VERY small. There were no amenities other than a pool, but it was very nice. We had a two bedroom unit which is actually 2 separate 1 bedroom units. It worked fine for us as we were two adult families with only 1 child, but this would not work for a family looking to put small children in the 2nd bedroom. The unit is right beside Old Town, which to us is a dreadful place. We were never bothered by anything there, but you could hear the rides until very late. Our unit was very large and clean, but the resort is just not in a good location. The drive was easy and usually took 10 mins to get to WDW. We would most likely avoid this resort in the future.

Orlando's Sunshine Resort II - This is a very nice resort with average amenities. Our unit was wonderful and large with a brand new feeling. The only real negatives were parking is minimal and it is a bit of a drive (20 mins) to WDW. We got this resort with bonus nights through RCI and would most likely stay here again when we need to just add a few nights not an entire week. The drive was not that big of a deal to us.

Hope this helps. We will be at Silver Lake in December and I appreciate the info on that resort that I've gotten here.
Lisa

 

[bshow1]

Stayed at Summerfield Suites LBV 6/21/03-6/28/03. Rate was $125/night for 2 bedroom suite. This was a "Wyndham Webrate" from their web site.

Location is on Fl 535 about 3/4 mile north of I-4 exit 68. Very close to WDW (< 5 min. to Downtown Disney). Tons of restaurants nearby, several within easy walking distance. Free parking. Check-in was a breeze and check-out involved a call to the front desk.

Room size was comfortable. One room has King, other has 2 doubles. Each room has its own bathroom. Kitchen is small but complete. Overall very nice for 2 adults and 3 children.

Condition of the facilities was good. Pool was very nice. All corridors are exterior. Felt very safe; would recommend it to others.

Continental breakfast was a disappointment. The facility is very nice, but the selection is very meager, IMO. Outdoor seating for breakfast is nice. On the plus side, you can walk across the street to the north to a very nice Winn-Dixie supermarket.

I would definitely stay there again.

Note on Wyndham Webrates: This is a prepaid, non-cancellable reservation. Your card is charged for the entire stay when you book, including taxes. What you'll find is that the later you book, the lower the rate will be. I booked mine about 5-6 weeks in advance. As it got to 2 weeks in advance, the rates had dropped to $104. Obviously, they drop the rate trying to book all their rooms. But don't wait too long, or there won't be any web rate available.

 

[J&D]

Wyndham Palms Resort & Country Club
7900 Palms Parkway

Rates:
1 bedroom villa: $35 by taking timeshare tour, $77.90 without tour through Hotel Kingdom, $180 regular rack rate
2 bedroom villa: $60 by taking timeshare tour, $88.90 without tour through Hotel Kingdom, $250 regular rack rate

amenities and activities: free breakfast (M-F), free BBQ (Fri.), golf course, clubhouse, pro shop, restaurants, pools, bike riding, miniature golf, tennis courts, playground, children's activities, on-property shuttle, washer and dryer, kitchen with refrigerator and microwave, jacuzzi tub (my favorite); 2 bedroom villa also has a large screen (52") TV, screened in balcony, dining table, and a dishwasher

The resort in only a few minutes from Disney.

There is no complimentary housekeeping service during your stay! Additional cleaning services are available for an additional charge.

There is a security gate at the main entrance.

This is a beautiful resort, and we would love to stay there again!

 

[Mjasp]

Hawthorne Suites -- Very clean and well maintained. Universal area and the airport location.

Summerfield Suites--Clean but just OK

Vistana Resort in 2 weeks

 

[Vraptor]

We just got back today from 6 nights in universal and 2 at clearwater beach. The first night we stayed at Holiday inn and suites- major blvd(by the radisson universal). I wouldnt stay there again- long story but computers down- lost reservtions.... just didnt like it. There is a fridays attached- which was nice. We didnt use the pool- but looked small but not tiny.

We stayed at the holiday inn on International drive- close to universal- not sure of the address. I was put up here since they lost our reservations. GROSS GROSS GROSS. Never Never again. We were put in the "motel" section- smelly, musty, old elevators- just gross. The pool looked nice but didnt go.

Royal Pacific 2 nights- awesome!!!!!!!!!

Amerisuites-not sure of address but on international blvd close to Ripleys. This was nice. Clean and nice big continental breakfast. We just grabbed some and ran since we had a plane to catch. Had waffles to make, cereal, fruit, muffins, bagels, juice, toast, donuts. We would stay there again. We got a rate of 59.00 night with a coupon book.

We did drive around International drive and stopped at a few hotels trying to find a place for last night.

The Embassy Suites on Jamican drive looked really really nice. Clean, glass elevators, balconys overlooking the inside of the hotel ,big fountain inside. Looked really nice! The hotels on Jamacan court looked nice- nice little area.

We also looked at the best western-not sure of adress but across form amerisuites on international. They have a sign going out front that they will honor other hotels coupon prices. I got quoted a price of 39.95- the room smelled musty and had outside entrance. we just didnt feel safe there. Showed a coupon for 29.00 and he told me no. We would not stay there when we go backo matter what the price- wouldnt feel safe since it is just myself and my son.

Masters Inn on Jamican court- looked clean! But if comfort in a bed is important- think about it. The beds are as hard as a rock. But clean basic hotel. Clean rooms.

Stopped in lobby of Laquinta on jamicaiin- looked clean and basic but didnt look at the rooms.

Alot of the hotels on Interantional blvd. looked old and basic.

Hampton Inn behind a mini golf with a volcano, looked very nice and clean. This hotel is new. I would stay there- the pool is SMALL though.

Hope this helps.

 

[taylor1293]

In the last 12 months we have stayed at:

Wyndam on I-drive - Priceline bid, 1 night at $32 a night. The place was a dump. Or should I say our room was a dump, I don't know about the rest of the resort. Our room had an outdoor corridor, but I hear that they have both. No, I didn't really feel safe.

Hard Rock Hotel - Club Level, 4 nights, I think this was $209 a night? through www.hotelkingdom.com AWESOME resort! The room and the property were in great shape. Indoor corridors, and I felt VERY safe! The pool was fantastic!

HIFS - Stayed there 2 times in the last year. The first time for 4 nights at a rate of $109, which included free breakfast and dinner buffets. This rate was a special through the hotel. The second time was 2 nights for $86 a night, this included the free breakfast buffet. That rate was the entertainment card rate. Love this hotel! They are totally devotated to children! The corridors are outdoors, and we felt very safe.

Teresa

 

[AZKathy]

HIFS x 3 nights in May, 2003: $86 Entertainment rate...great place for families, close to everything, clean and nice for the price, good buffet breakfasts, nice pool Would stay there again

Vistana Resort x 1 week June 2003: RCI trade; stayed in old Falls section. Not that great; 60's condos which they tried to update, ants in kitchen and roaches in bathroom, rooms reaked of cigarettes (I understand the new section like Cascades are absolutely wonderful); very close to Disney, lovely grounds Never, Never, Never stay there again!!!!